Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-07-07
MR.. MEGILP'S PICTURE.
The Good Fortune That Game Out
of "Bill OF Sale"


Mr.. Michael Angelo Megilp was a
young artist of some performance and
Df considerable promise But, like
many other men in that position, he
was often heavily handicapped by the
want Of ready money for though his
pictures were tolerably well spoken Of
by the critics and lauded to the skies
by his friends, the picture-dcalers gave
him only a very moderate price for
them.
Still, spite Of this drawback, Megilp,
being Of n cheerful, happy-go-lucky dis
position, kept up his courage, worked
carly and late in his studio, and be-
heved firmly that some day favorable
turn in his affairs would come. He
had married early young lady pos
sessed of more beauty than fortune: In
last, Mr.. Megilp's marriage portion of
G6O0 only just paid for the furnishing
OF the house and studio ut Kensington,
where the young couple began house
keeping
But with the best intentions, the
young wife was not very skillful man
ager. so gradually the Megilps glidcd
into debt, and in due course the trades-
people became restive and refused fur
ther supplies until their little bills were
paid. When Michael Angelo and his
wife came to add up their liabilities.
they found that they amounted to near
ly E2OO, sum total which seemed ter
rifle TO poor little Mrs Megilp.
"Where on earth can we get f2OO, !
AngyP' she cried, clasping her hands
tragically. "All your pictures. even if |
you could sell them, wouldn't fetch
half that"
There's the furniture, you know.
Madge, hazarded Mcgilp. ut was !
bought with your money. What do |
you say to-
"Oh, don't-dont sell it; l couldn't
bear to part with all my pretty things"
she interrupted. with loving glance
round her drawing-room. which was
quite picture Of modest elegance.
81 shouldn't think Of asking YOU to
make such a sacrifice, my dear, " re-
piled Michael Angelo. soothingly; "but
we could raise G2O0 on it easily"
"lou're quitc-guite sure the fur
niture would be safc?"
Perfectly safe; and / think know
the man who will do the business-a
bill Of sale, you know-not half bad
way of raising money"
According Megilp went next morning
down to Wardour street, and in a dirty
little bric-a-brac shop he unearthed the
worthy lsraelite who was to oblige him
with the loan.
You want goo on bill Of sale on
your f,rnituro?" said Mr.. Zerubbabel.
when the artist had explained his er-
rand. ii must come down to your
house and see what you have got be-
lore l can give you an answer"
"Surely you can take my word that
there is ample security for the amount
want Besides presents, we ourselves
spent over E6o0 only two years ago."
replied Michael Angelo, angrily.
MIR. Zerubbabel laid his fat forefnger
along his great, hooked nose ana
winked, adding:
81 dare say. Still, I'd rather have
q look at il before we do business. IL
you give me your address I'll call on ,
you tomorrow
Michael Angelo swallowed his ycxa- ,
lion as best I've could, gave his address. J
and left the bric-a-brac shop. 1
Mr.. Zerubbabel duly paid his visit of t
inspection, and in the course Of few S
days the negotiation was fiH ac- 5
'omph. The Megilps paid their bills.
The iradesPeople smiled once more on !
Mrs Megilp, and matters went on \
quite smoothly for several months. o
The interest on the GOO was punctual- q
y paid. and early IN the year Michael
Angelo finished the picture he in a
icnded TO send in to Burlington o
House. Z,
Every one who entered the studio a
'rophesied great things of this pic O
ure, and every one agreed that
Chloe Counting her Chickens" was. n
% far, Megilp's chez d9urre. The -
'rtist himself founded all his hopes of y
anne on this charming work. z
IL won't take penny less than G5OO 81
or IL, he said to his wife after the b
'isit Of a distinguished art critic TO his Il
tndio. ''Carper says it will take the ia
own by storm-and so il will" h
81 wish you could sell il soon" (,
ighed Mrs Megilp. II often feel un- &,
omiortable about that dreadful bill p
I sale--it's like what's s-his-name's b
word hanging over our heads"
''Oh. the furniture Is safe enough" {
rplicd Michael Angelo, lightly. "But
tell you what 1t is. Madge. il handi- q
APPS ms frightfully to have bill OF tc
alc registered against me-" a,
why don't you go and see Zerub- pI
abel. and t-y to come 10 terms with pI
Im!" suggested Mrs Megllp. "Of
purse. he has heard Of 'Chloe'-eyery OF
ne has-and II you promise to pay e1
m when you have sold your picture,
rely he cant refuse TO give you back u
Iat horrid document" b,
Though hardly taking this optimis- NJ
. view Of matters. Meglp acted on rc
5 wiles advice, and forthwith paid a M
sit "a Mr.. Zerubbabels shop. in
Whom he had preferred his request.
q brlc-a-brac seller smiled and shook an
4 head. le
''Micah zcipbbabel wasn't born yes n
rday,' he said with cunning look m
his twinkliug black eyes. Your